Book Jacket

 

rank 5849
word count 23552
date submitted 06.09.2010
date updated 03.12.2011
genres: Fiction
classification: moderate
incomplete

Still Life (with Lares and Penates)

Steffan Gilbert

A Mystery

 

The rural and relatively peaceful community of Nottamun is rocked by a series of horrific murders, and when the crimes strike close to a criminal profiler, she works with the sheriff to bring the victims justice, a task which becomes more problematic when her life is turned upside down.

 
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tags

mystery

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22 comments

 

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Steffan Gilbert wrote 949 days ago

Dear Pia,

Thank you for your comments. I have begun to read 'Course of Mirrors', and based on what I've read so far, have added it to my watchlist. . Your use of language weaves a verbal tapestry and makes your work a pleasure to read. As for the origin of 'lares and penates', in the Roman pantheon, they are, broadly and briefly, household gods. Wikipedia has a sufficient explanation at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lares_and_penates

Steffan -

Still Life (With Lares and Penates) - Diana is a one-off gutsy character. And the writing surprises with a most creative use of language and invention ... at the crime scene ... she encountered an insurmountable hurdle of first impresssions. I can't decide whether the abundance of similes help or hinder the story. Mostly they made me giggle. The dialogue sparkles, and the writing style is unique, striking in its invention ... 'What does the knife symbol mean?' ... 'It means they know how to google for graphics.' ... The surreal mystery captivates. What do Lares and Penates in your sub-title stand for?

Backed, Pia (Course of Mirrors)

Steffan Gilbert wrote 949 days ago

Thank you so much, Eunice, for your gallant compliments. I have begun reading 'The Temple Dancer' and find it absorbing and resonant with Sight based experiences I had as a child. I know from experience how difficult it is to write easily or elegantly about one's own childhood, and you have accomplished both. A pleasure to back.

You have such a wonderful way with words. A master craftsman is at work here, that much is obvious. A well crafted work that deserves to do well. Backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Pia wrote 955 days ago

Steffan -

Still Life (With Lares and Penates) - Diana is a one-off gutsy character. And the writing surprises with a most creative use of language and invention ... at the crime scene ... she encountered an insurmountable hurdle of first impresssions. I can't decide whether the abundance of similes help or hinder the story. Mostly they made me giggle. The dialogue sparkles, and the writing style is unique, striking in its invention ... 'What does the knife symbol mean?' ... 'It means they know how to google for graphics.' ... The surreal mystery captivates. What do Lares and Penates in your sub-title stand for?

Backed, Pia (Course of Mirrors)

Walden Carrington wrote 956 days ago

Steffan,
Still Life (with Lares and Penates) has the storyline of a suspenseful thriller. I look forward to seeing the complete work. Backed with pleasure.

name falied moderation wrote 959 days ago

Dear Steffan
scary really scary so you succeeded. you have writing ability that is for sure, creating characters that are animated.
BACKED FOR SURE BY ME
Denise
The Letter
please take time to comment and back my book if you feel so, if not that is OK also thank you and the VERY best of luck

SusieGulick wrote 959 days ago

Am glad you got your book fixed, Steffan, & didn't lose your ratings. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. I've already read, backed, & commented on your book 30 & 31 days ago. :) Could you please take just a moment to back my memoirs book? :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :)

memphisgirl wrote 960 days ago

I love your book. I don't understand why it's not moving up the charts at this point. I'm now committed to reading all that's posted. Love the heroine, love how you flesh out and bring to life everything from the yard, to the vehicles, to the supporting characters. A world in motion -- that's the point, isn't it? I hope you find an agent or, more to the point, a publisher. I'm putting this on my "best of the site list."

Memphisgirl
Ashes By Now

yasmin esack wrote 966 days ago

I love mysteries and you do not disaapoint. Your work is vivid and a treat for lovers of this genre. You characters come to life with your witing and i have no doubt that this will meet with great success.

Best
THE MIND SETTER

I hope you will consider mine

lisawb wrote 982 days ago

Great start, I love Diana and glad she gave Sonny a decent reply! Your descriptions are good and the dialogue sets the scene and atmosphere very well. The premise promises intrigue and suspense and this should do well.

An appealing cover and absorbing content.

Backed.

Eunice Attwood wrote 982 days ago

You have such a wondeful way with words. A master craftsman is at work here, that much is obvious. A well crafted work that deserves to do well. Backed with pleasure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Andrew Burans wrote 982 days ago

You have written a very interesting and unique storyline, which I do like, and created a most memorable main character in Diana. The dialogue is realistic and well written and the pace of your story flows well. All of this along with your descriptive writing makes your mystery crime thriller a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Steffan Gilbert wrote 986 days ago

Your beautiful descriptive prose is cut sharply by instant reality of the dialogue and the sudden interpolation of a gritty repose: that introduction of the rotting flesh of the skull for example.

There is a desultory humour set deep beneath the langauge and the prose is held together with a tight authroial control Excellent.

BACKED



Thank you for your supportive comments. Please let me know if you have any writings available to read.

Steffan Gilbert wrote 986 days ago

This promises to be a gripping mystery. I love your dialogue and characterisation and your imagery is brilliant. I loved 'A slim rat smile crossed John's lips.' and 'walked like a hermit crab' and 'like a beaver in spandex'. Backed.
Gill



Dear Gail ~

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. You can expect the next series of chapters to be on line in the next few days.

flower girl wrote 987 days ago

This promises to be a gripping mystery. I love your dialogue and characterisation and your imagery is brilliant. I loved 'A slim rat smile crossed John's lips.' and 'walked like a hermit crab' and 'like a beaver in spandex'. Backed.
Gill

andrew skaife wrote 988 days ago

Your beautiful descriptive prose is cut sharply by instant reality of the dialogue and the sudden interpolation of a gritty repose: that introduction of the rotting flesh of the skull for example.

There is a desultory humour set deep beneath the langauge and the prose is held together with a tight authroial control Excellent.

BACKED

Eveleen wrote 989 days ago

Still life
A very short pitch but a great opening
Backed
Eveleen
(Turning a new leaf)

Steffan Gilbert wrote 990 days ago

This is a well constructed story with good characterisation and dialogue. Technical content seems authentic and your main character, Diana, keeps the reader's interest well.



Dear Mr. Darcy ~

Thanks for your kind assessment. I have linked to 'The Firelord's Crown' and look forward to giving it a read. Best of luck to you and yours.

Cheers
Steffan

Jim Darcy wrote 990 days ago

This is a well constructed story with good characterisation and dialogue. Technical content seems authentic and your main character, Diana, keeps the reader's interest well.

name falied moderation wrote 990 days ago

Dear Steffan


i would buy it for myself for sure. well crafted, and soooo real to me...that is due to your writing skills. such talent and ability with words to create quite the animated movie in my head
CONGRATS I have to wonder on this site at the
creations that come from peoples heads and of course the immense talent of those like yourself to animate
such colorful characters. I truly wish I had half your talent.

Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK
also

The VERY best of luck to you

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Denise
The Letter

SusieGulick wrote 990 days ago

Dear Steffan, Here I am on your 2nd book. :) When I read your pitch & then your book, I thought, "A mystery is right!!" What an investigator & I really like Mae who is really an asset to your suspenseful story. :) So, what is next??? I've backed your 2 books :) - could you please take a moment to back my memoir book? :) Thanks so very much. :) Love, Susie :)

Su Dan wrote 991 days ago

the opening lines of chapter one, are simply brilliant= it is almost a story on its own- you use the tools of the trade so well...`he sulked to himself..`=just wonderful-
on my watchlist...
read SEASONS....

SusieGulick wrote 991 days ago

:) comment to follow - read & comment on 4 hours later :)

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